Yasukutsu Hachiman Shrine (Yamagata Prefecture) is home to the only three-story pagoda in the Okitama region, but its history is shrouded in mystery

In Takahata Town, located in the southeastern part of Yamagata Prefecture, which is famous for its wine, there is a shrine called Yasukutsu Hachiman Shrine

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[Takahata Town, Yamagata Prefecture] Takahata Winery is located at 38 degrees north latitude, the same latitude as Napa Valley, a famous wine-producing region in the United States

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Takahata Town, located in southern Yamagata Prefecture, has long been a thriving agricultural region, producing rice, grapes, and La France pears. It boasts the highest shipments of Delaware grapes in Japan among municipalities. Takahata Winery, a winery in Takahata Town, Yamagata Prefecture, founded in 1990, is a winery that produces wine using grapes grown in Yamagata Prefecture. Areas with climates, temperatures, soils, and topography suitable for both grape cultivation and winemaking are concentrated between 30 and 50 degrees north latitude and between 20 and 40 degrees south latitude, known as the Wine Belt.

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with the only three-story pagoda in the Okitama region , but due to a series of unfortunate accidents, much of its history is shrouded in mystery. This time, we will introduce Yasukutsu Hachiman Shrine in Takahata Town.

A shrine located along National Route 113

Yasukutsu Hachiman Shrine is a shrine located along National Route 113, which runs from Takahata Town in Yamagata Prefecture to Shichikashuku Town in Miyagi Prefecture

The surrounding area is home to many great sightseeing spots, including Mahoroba Furunosato Historical Park , Yamagata Prefectural Ukitamu Fudoki no Oka Archaeological Museum, Takahata Roadside Station, and Takahata Town Local History Museum

The mysterious history of Yasukutsu Hachiman Shrine

It is said that Akutsu Hachiman Shrine was founded in 860 when Ennin, the founder of the Buddhist sect of Buddhism, the local powerful clan leader , Akutsu Iwasaburo

Although it is not certain, it is said that later, in the late Heian period, Minamoto no Yoshiie, known by the nickname Hachiman Taro, enshrined Kamakura Tsurugaoka Hachiman to pray for victory in the war to conquer Oshu.

Records destroyed by repeated fires

Later, during the reign of the Nagai and Date clans who ruled the Okitama region, the shrine reached its peak, with a total of 12 temples , including Betsudo Jingu-ji Temple, Gakuto Kinzo-in Temple, and Shutoto Senshu-in Temple. In comparison with Narushima Hachiman Shrine in Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, the shrine was also known as "Narishima Hachiman of the West" and "Akutsu Hachiman of the East."

However, after that, the treasures and valuable books were destroyed by repeated fires, and as far as records show, the main hall has been destroyed by fire seven times.

Then, in the Meiji period, the temple on the main premises was abolished due to the Shinbutsu Bunri (law for separating Shinto and Buddhism), and the remaining buildings were destroyed in a fire, leaving them as they are today

Buildings within the temple grounds

Yasukutsu Hachiman Shrine has the misfortune of having suffered fire damage many times throughout its long history, but there are still several structures that remain today, including the worship hall, main hall, and three-story pagoda

Grandpa and Grandma Stone

Two stones on pillars stand under the torii gate at the entrance to the shrine

According to legend, an old couple once resolved to erect a torii gate in one day and night, but were unable to do so, so they gave up midway and threw the stone away

If it were true, it would have been quite an achievement for an elderly couple to have carried such a huge stone here, but local Yamagata experts have suggested that it may have been a support for a flagpole from around the Asuka period

Three-story pagoda

This three-story pagoda at Akutsu Hachiman Shrine is the only one in the Okitama region of Yamagata Prefecture

The three-story pagoda is originally not a shrine but one of the temple buildings, so it is also evidence that the 12 temple complexes mentioned in the history section did indeed exist

According to records, it was built in 1625, but was destroyed by a strong wind in 1790. It was rebuilt in 1795 and remains standing to this day

It was designated as a tangible cultural property of Yamagata Prefecture in 1955

Iwakoma Inari Shrine

Opposite the three-story pagoda, on the right side of the approach to the shrine, is Iwakoma Inari

Behind the shrine is a huge rock that gives the shrine its name, and a stone Buddha statue is carved into the rock face

Bugaku Hall

Standing in the center of the approach to the shrine is the Bugakuden, a building said to have been constructed at the end of the Muromachi period. During the spring festival of Akutsu Hachiman Shrine, the Rice Planting Dance is performed, and during the autumn festival, the Akutsu Ennen Dance is performed

"Akutsu Ennen," is performed at the annual autumn festival, was designated as an intangible folk cultural property of Takahata Town in 1988 because it retains a relatively ancient style, and in 1993 it was designated as an "intangible folk cultural property for which measures such as record-keeping should be taken" by the national government.

The Bugakuden itself was designated a tangible cultural property of Yamagata Prefecture in 1955

The worship hall and main hall of Akutsu Hachiman Shrine

As mentioned earlier in the history, the worship hall and main hall have suffered repeated fire damage

According to the few remaining records, the earliest record is that the shrine was rebuilt by Date Naomune burned down seven times was rebuilt each time by Date Tanemune in 1536 Masamune in 1591

The current main hall was burned down in 1743 and rebuilt in 1755 during the reign of Shigesada, the ninth head of the Uesugi clan of the Yonezawa domain

The current main hall was originally located halfway up Mt. Hachiman behind the shrine and was relocated there, and the original approach, moat and remains of the old main hall can still be seen on the mountain

The main hall is built in the Sangensha Nagare-zukuri style, with a thatched roof and a Japanese-style Hiramitou eaves structure, giving it a unique semicircular roof. Both the worship hall and the main hall were designated as tangible cultural properties of Yamagata Prefecture in 1955

Akutsu Kofun Group

This group of ancient tombs, located next to Yasukutsu Hachiman Shrine , is called the Toriimachi Subgroup together with Hayama Tomb , Kamoyama Cave Tomb , Kitame Subgroup , Genpukuji Subgroup , Miso-ne Subgroup , and Yasukutsu Clan Group , is collectively known as the Yasukutsu Tomb Group .

each with a horizontal stone chamber, were made using Takahata stone (tuff) , and are thought to have been built between the late 7th century (Asuka period) and the mid-8th century (Nara period). A total of 39 tombs have been discovered, scattered around the surrounding area.

It was registered as a designated cultural property (historic site) of Yamagata Prefecture in 1984

summary

Yasukutsu Hachiman Shrine has been damaged by fires many times. It is a shame to think that if the many treasures and documents that were lost had remained, its history would have been passed down to the present day

Today, the area has been developed into a park, with a group of ancient tombs from the Asuka to Nara periods, a shrine, a three-story pagoda and other tourist attractions, and there is also a roadside station, making it a must-see tourist spot when visiting Takahata Town

As you can see the three-story pagoda stands out against the rape blossoms and cherry blossoms in full bloom at Mahoroba Furunosato Historical Park recommend visiting in the spring

Akutsu Hachiman Shrine <Information>

• Name: Akutsu Hachiman Shrine
• Address: 2043-2 Yasukutsu, Takahata-cho, Higashiokitama-gun, Yamagata Prefecture, 992-0302
• Phone number: 0238525990
• Official URL: Takahata Town Official – Akutsu Hachiman Shrine

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Aoiwa

Traveling around the Tohoku region, I enjoy drinking delicious sake and exploring the local history, traditions, and customs. I write articles based on my interests. I'm currently interested in folk performing arts, local toys, and folk beliefs